FULTON, NY – Angelo P. Arena, M.D., 88, passed away early Saturday morning May 21, 2016, at St. Luke Health Service Center in Oswego.
Born in New York City on December 10, 1927, he was the son of John and Josephine (Arigo) Arena who emigrated from Sicily.
Dr. Arena was raised in Fulton, graduated from Fulton High School in 1945, and subsequently was drafted into the U.S. Army Air Corps.
After military service, he entered New York University and graduated with a major in history in 1950.
He attended medical school at the University of Rome, Italy, and received his diploma in 1956.
Dr. Arena did his medical residency at Rochester General Hospital and opened his practice in 1959 in Hannibal, NY, where he dedicated his life to serving the community for 53 years before retiring in 2012.
He met and married his wife, Elaine Christiano, in 1960.
From 2012 to 2015 he resided at Bishop’s Commons Living Center where he enjoyed the friendship and caring of his fellow residents and staff.
Dr. Arena greatly enjoyed discussing history and listening to classical music.
He was a devoted communicant of the former Holy Family Church and Holy Trinity Church, both in Fulton and was a member of the Fulton Kiwanis Club.
Dr. Arena was predeceased by his wife, Elaine, in 1993; brothers, Joseph in 2004 and Louis in 1989.
He is survived by his four children, Dr. Michael (Jennifer) Arena of Oswego, Catherine (Roy) Gurny of Harrison, NY, Mark Arena of Fulton and Anne Marie (Chad) Alarie of East Walpole, Mass.; three grandchildren; and nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Funeral Home, 910 Fay St., Fulton.
Services and burial will be private.
Contributions in Dr. Arena’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Central New York Chapter, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204.
Foster Funeral Home, Inc.
www.fosterfuneralhome.com
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Mark and Family,
Our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies go out to all of you!
I’ve known Dr. Arena my whole life and have very fond memories of him. Years ago my grandparents – Joe and Pauline Murphy ran the nursing home on Co. Rt. 7 in Hannibal, which he made house calls to on a regular basis. I admit, as a youngster, I was somewhat intimidated by him and his loud voice but as I grew up I realized he was typically yelling because his patients couldn’t hear very well (that didn’t dawn on me as a seven year old)! He was a caring and compassionate man who I had as my own doctor for many years. I use to love to get him to smile and maybe even a chuckle!! My deepest sympathies go out to his family and hope you take comfort in your memories of this wonderful human being.
I first met Dr Arena when I first started working at A.L.Lee Memorial Hospital in 1990. One of my fondest memories was how Dr Arena always referred to me as Kim Novak,at the time I did not know who she was. Dr Arena was a kind and giving man, Thank you Dr Arena for all you have given to the community.My condolenses to the family.
So sorry for your loss……
Dr Arena was a good dr. He cared for his patients and made sure they received the best care either by him or by referral. Condolences to his family.
Doc Arena was our family doctor growing up.He continued as my mom & dad’s doctor through later years.I will be forever grateful for his kindness & care of my mom when she was terminally ill with cancer.Although we all knew she would not survive & she had gone into a comatose state,he still came EVERY day to check on her & us ! What a great man he was.Rest in peace,you earned it well.
I first met Dr. Arena working at A.L.Lee memorial Hospital. He was a very devoted doctor and cared so much for his patients. It is weird that I was just thinking about him a few days ago, and now he is gone. But will never be forgotten. I was always amazed of this man’s devotion to his patients and had the deepest respect for him as a medical professional. May you rest in peace. My deepest sincere condolences go out to his family.
Prayer of St Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
This prayer reminded me so much of Dr. Arena. He was such a nice man–stern but kind–and a good doctor to me and my girls.
Dr. Arena delivered me 54 years ago. He was my doctor for my entire life until he retired. He was a caring man and could be a little stern with his patients, but it was usually because he cared so much for them. RIP Dr. Arena. You were the last of a generation of country doctors that we will not see again.
Dr. Arena was the doctor at Hannibal School. I was very intimidated by him back then. As I grew older I discovered what a dedicated physician he was. It was a few years ago now, but once while I was shopping at Great Northern Mall, I spotted him. He was alone, standing a distance away watching the little children talk to Santa. Dr. Arena has a smile on his face. He was enjoying that time, I could tell as I stood watching him. Also, he was wonderful to my parents for many years while caring for them. As gruff as he might have been, he was very sweet and gentle to my parents. I appreciated his kindness. He was a true old-fashion doctor. He will be missed.
Dr.Arena will always be very special to me. He will be missed very much. My condolences to his family.
So sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed!
My wife worked at the Lee Memorial hospital and knew Dr Arena and recommended him. No matter how busy he was or how crowded he waiting room, when you were being examined or treated by the Dr it was as if he had no other patients that day. You never felt rushed or got the idea he was not listening to you. He was a good Doctor and a good man.
R.I.P, Dr. Arena.
You will always be remembered by the Hannibal community especially the Davenport family for your dedication and service.